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Tesla Superchargers Now Serve Several European Countries

I was in Abu Dhabi hanging out with a Dutch guy and a German guy as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week when Tesla, incidentally, announced that it was opening new Supercharger stations connecting the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. Unfortunately, we were too busy with other things to catch that news, so I’m just getting to covering this. Even more unfortunately, European Superchargers are yet to be placed within range of my home in Southwest Poland…. but hopefully it won’t be too long until they are here. Here’s Tesla’s most up-to-date European Supercharger map:

And here’s the projected network next winter:

If you haven’t been obsessively following the development of Tesla’s Supercharger network — or even if you have been following it but want a quick snapshot summary — here’s a bit of history from Tesla: “Tesla’s first six Superchargers were energized in California in September 2012, with the first network of European Supercharger stations opening in Norway less than a year later. As of today, 81 Supercharger locations are energized worldwide, with 14 locations in Europe. More than 11 million kilometers have been charged by Tesla Superchargers and nearly 1.13 million liters of gas have been offset.”

In Europe, Norway and Germany are clearly hubs from which Tesla is starting its networks. By the end of March, Tesla aims to have 50% of the German population within range of a Supercharger station. By the end of 2014, it aims to have 100% of the population within range.

If you’re completely new to Tesla Superchargers, here’s a quick summary of what they are and where they are located: “The Tesla Supercharger is substantially more powerful than any charging technology to date, providing up to 120 kilowatts of DC (Direct Current) power directly to the Model S battery using special cables that bypass the onboard charging equipment. Superchargers replenish half a charge in about 20 minutes. Supercharger stations are strategically placed along well-travelled highways to allow Model S owners to drive from station to station with minimal stops. They are located near amenities like roadside restaurants, cafes, and shopping centers so drivers can stop for a quick meal and have their Model S charged by the time they’re done.”

Lastly, here’s a short video about a European road trip Tesla recently took while opening the continent’s newest Superchargers:

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I notice that many of these superchargers are placed in countries that get a substantial portion of their electricity from wind. It is not much point in placing them in countries that use mostly coal burning power plants

heinbloed

Most European countries (at least those who have joined the EU or are associated) have a free electricity market.
Meaning one can buy electricity from various supliers.
‘Green tarifs’ (100% RE electricity) are generally available everywhere.
So it depends on the client what he wants.
Norway for example has nearly 100% hydropower in the national grid, it wouldn’t make much sense to search for a green suplier since all electricity there is ‘green’.

Denmark has about 40% wind energy in the grid, in december 2013 they have reached the 50% milestone.
Spain has as well 50% RE in their national electricity grid. So does Portugal, Sweden and I think Austria as well.

Well, since there is locally available sunshine everywhere it can be done theoretically even without the aid of a grid infrastructure.

No way

Old news… why are Tesla promoting old super chargers instead of building new ones in Europe? They have built 28 super chargers that are now operating in the US since the last European super charger, which was in 19th december 2013.

heinbloed

19th of december 2013, that’s 6 weeks ago.
We have something called “winter” on this globe when most ground- and building jobs stop.
Ice and snow are resulting in frozen ground and water filled trenches which can not be backfilled with frozen soil.

No way

If you got nothing constructive to add then why bother posting? It has been cold in the northern US, so called winter, where a lot of those super chargers between 19th december and today have been built and opened.
In most of Europe it’s been above zero for most of the time. Even in the northern parts of Europe the ground isn’t frozen. There would be no problem building right now.

heinbloed

One doesn’t start digging in and around public spaces installing electric cables without planning permission from road authorities and grid operators.
And no one with a bit of sense in his mind is planning to block a public road (to allow for building works) on a fixed date in winter time if not absolute necessary.

It might be the job they do in the USA though.
The SAIDI value for the USA looks like it, the conditions of US-roads and the nearly non-existent public footpathes/cycle lanes speak a clear language.

Timber poles aren’t used in Europe’s populated spaces, cables go underground wherever possible.
For safety resons and for security of suply.
Well, Ireland and Albania are different. But they aren’t mapped for the Tesla chargers yet

You haven’t worked in the ‘constructive’ business, have you?

Look again at the map, these are highways mapped out, not village back roads.
And read the national road authorities reports of these countries concerning wintery driving conditions, ice and snow reports.
And watch the video from 1:14 onwards about the weather conditions drivers and road builders/electricians are confronted with.

heinbloed

PS

It took 3 months to get this charging station on the highway stop in Lully/Switzerland into operation:

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